During Season 3, Elena partnered journalist Tucker Carlson, who was eliminated after week one.

Elena began dancing Russian folk, ballet and ballroom at the tender age of seven. Under strict and often brutal Russian instructors she quickly became a champion and by the time she was eight, she was the best ballroom dancer in Moscow for her age.

Driven by an insatiable ambition, Elena was a Junior Soviet Union Finalist in all divisions of ballroom dancing. In 1994, whilst competing in the youth category, Elena won the Moscow and National Championship titles in the Latin Division. That same year, she became a world semifinalist in Latin, a national finalist in standard and national champion in the 10-Dance category.

After graduating from high school in 1995, Elena was accepted into the very prestigious Russian Art Academy where she furthered her study of dance.

At the age of 21 Elena left her family and motherland behind her to pursue her dream of dancing in the United States. She now lives in New York.